Researchers Find Lead, Plastic Additives and Other Contaminants in Hedgehogs 

In a new study, researchers have found a wide range of pollutants in Western European hedgehogs, including heavy metals, plastic additives and more.

The researchers from Lund University in Sweden were exploring the levels of heavy metals found in hedgehogs in southern Sweden, following previous research that revealed heavy metal pollution in hedgehogs in urban areas around Europe. They also aimed to prove that using already deceased carcasses of road kill, rather than killing wildlife for research, would be a useful way to detect contaminant levels in wildlife and their habitats.

The samples were collected between 2021 and 2022 from already deceased hedgehogs, including roadkill and hedgehogs that did not make it through rehabilitation. The researchers relied on citizen scientists to contact the team when they discovered dead hedgehogs. 

Researchers used samples to test both long-term pollutant exposure, from spine and teeth tissue, and short-term exposure, from liver tissue. The study, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, revealed that phthalate diesters and PCBs were the most prevalent pollutants in the hedgehog liver tissues. In total, the team found high levels of lead, phthalates, PCBs, pesticides, brominated flame retardants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the hedgehogs.

“What surprised us was that there were so many different environmental pollutants in the animals, such as PCBs and several different phthalates, and that there were very high concentrations of certain heavy metals, especially lead,” Maria Hansson, ecotoxicologist at Lund University who initiated the study, said in a statement.

As explained in the study, while urban green spaces have become havens for wildlife seeking shelter, food and water, human activity and industry can also turn loose pollutants. Hedgehogs primarily eat ground beetles, earthworms and slugs from the soil, which can increase their exposure to contaminants.

“This shows that urban environments, where the majority of people live today, contain a large amount of environmentally problematic substances that are proven to be harmful to health,” Hansson said. “These problematic substances come from building materials, plastics, pesticides, air pollution, waste, traffic, vehicles and even contaminated soil.”

In response, the researchers noted that governments need to implement more policies around urban soil monitoring and that consumers should minimize use of plastics and synthetic materials to reduce risks to hedgehogs and other wildlife.

“Today, we want nature in our cities, so we must also reduce the risk of organisms being exposed to the chemicals in the materials and products we choose to use,” Hansson said.